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Tale Type- and Motif-Indexes
Motif Index: What is it?
British Columbia Folklore Society introduction to what the Motif-Index is and does.
Motif-index of folk-literature; a classification of narrative elements in folktales, ballads, myths, fables, mediaeval romances, exempla, fabliaux, jest-books, and local legends
Usually referred to as Stith Thompson (the author), this is an alpha-numeric classification system for the motifs (incidents, actors, and items) found in traditional narrative literature. Consists of a decimal classification scheme of 23 main divisions and detailed subdivisions, and an alphabetical index of motifs.
The Types of the Folk-Tale: A Classification and Bibliography
Referred to as Aarne-Thompson, this is a classification system for tale types found in Indo-European folktales, first compiled by Antti Aarne and revised by Stith Thompson. Tale types are story lines, whereas motifs (classified by Thompson, above) are smaller narrative units.
Motif-Index of Early Irish Literature
This title classifies motifs of early Irish tradition.
Types of the Folktale in the Arab World
Types of the Folktale in the Arab World is an index and preliminary analysis of folktales told by the diverse ethnic groups that populate what is commonly called “the Arab World.” It is also a comprehensive and interdisciplinary guide to tales told in related cultural spheres, from sub-Saharan Africa to Turkey and beyond. A folktale’s emergence, spread, stability, change, continued presence, or disappearance among certain social groups depends on specific psychological, social, and cultural forces. While Hasan El-Shamy has adopted the familiar tale-type classification system employed by Antti Aarne and Stith Thompson, he also seeks to remedy the Eurocentric shortcomings of their system by addressing folklore as behavior, striving to bring the psychosocial foundation for the Arab renditions to this comprehensive and inclusive index. Types of the Folktale in the Arab World is destined to become an indispensable reference work for all who are interested in Arab culture and the folktale.
The Yanagita Kunio Guide to the Japanese Folk Tale
Translation of Nihon mukashibanashi meii by the prominent Japanese folklorist. 347 tale types.
Electronic Analytical Catalogue of Folklore and Mythological Motifs (Berezkin)
Catalog [in Russian] covering 958 societies and 2,564 folklore motifs. Includes Asia, Africa, and the Americas, as well as Europe.
Motif Index of Vampires in Folklore, Literature, and Film
The Index has six general motif categories: becoming a vampire, physical characteristics, behavioral characteristics, limitations of vampires and apotropaics, powers of vampires, and eliminating vampires.
